Problems With Starting In Hot Weather

[AndyBee 0]

Hello,

I could do with some advice on a problem my wife has with her 1992 205 1.9 GTi.

 

The problem is that it won't always start in hot weather, particularly when it's been sat in direct sunshine on a hot day. There are two situations: -

 

1) we've been out in it on a hot day, stopped for a bit of shopping and then it won't start (note, it hasn't overheated)

2) it's been sat outside our house or in a car park on a hot day in direct sunshine and won't start

 

With the first situation, it will start eventually but this could be after 5, 10 or 30 minutes. With the second, it could be hours.

 

In both cases, she puts the key in the ignition, turns it and all we hear is a click and nothing more, the engine doesn't turn over, nothing. Later in the day or early in the morning when the temperature has cooled down, things are fine.

 

A couple of mechanics have previously suggested that it's a problem with the alternator so when it's got particularly bad, I've fitted a new one. However, this only solves the problem for a limited time and we're now on our fourth alternator in about 8 years. I fitted the latest alternator back in February and based on what I'd read on this forum, I bought a 70 amp unit rather than the previous 55 amp units. Unfortunately, on a particularly hot Sunday early in May, it wouldn't start and I'm beginning to think the problem isn't with the alternator.

 

Any ideas?

 

One more thing. Whenever I've changed the alternator, I end up with a 'spare' wire. It's brown with a connector on the end but I can't find anywhere to connect it to.

 

Finally, I'm not a mechanic by any means so if you have any suggestions, please spell them out as simply as possible so that I can understand them.

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

[welshpug 1,657]

it'll be the starter motor or the Wire to the solenoid if all you get is a click, unless battery voltage is down, which could be down to the other problem;

 

the spare wire for your alternator is likely to the the excitor/warning light wire if its a small gauge one with a spade connector on the end.

 

 

also sometimes the gearbox to body + battery earth can cause problems, being loose corroded or broken.

Edited June 5, 2008 by welshpug

[AndyBee 0]

Welshpug,

Thanks for the suggestions. However, if it's one of the things you are suggesting, wouldn't they cause a problem whatever the temperature, not just when it's hot?

 

Andy

[lagonda 42]

Hi,

 

Another thing to check is the brown multiplug which is thoughtfully hidden below the AFM (airflow meter). Despite its sheltered dry position, the terminals can corrode ... some of mine so badly they disintegrated. One of the wires (if I recall rightly, light blue/green on mine) is the wire to the solenoid which operates it. A poor connection here will result in poor/ non-operation of the solenoid, hence just a click.

 

If it's not that, check your earth connection/s to the engine, poor contact here again will give you these symptoms. The alternator is probably nothing to do with your problem, a new one may just have supplied a little more charge to give the battery some more oomph to overcome the resistance. Main earth contact to check is around the top of the clutch housing....also check that your battery terminals are tight & clean where contact is made.

 

Furthermore! When I disconnected the main battery cable to the starter (the thick one), I found the terminal loop on the cable was half burnt away & rusted, basically because Peugeot's accountants felt a few micropence could be saved by making it of steel instead of brass! Might also be worth checking that.

 

Good luck!

[jackherer 543]

Problems with the starter and the solenoid feed wire and the brown multiplug connections do seem to be affected by temperature in my experience.

[AndyBee 0]

Thanks all,

I've got the next couple of weeks off work so I'll check through the suggestions.

 

Andy

[Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars]

the simplest way to test if its as described above would be next time its hot and just clicking stick a wire direct from batt + to the solenoid terminal. Or short across from the starters constant live feed to the solenoid

[gti-si 0]

As Richie says, run 12v+ straight from the battery terminal to the solenoid (smaller connection) on the starter. Do this when it's not behaving and won't start, that way if it cranks you know thats the problem.

 

Corrosion on the starter solenoid wire means there is a very high resistance in the wire where it is corroded. Temperature of a conductor effects resistance, the higher the temperature the higher the resistance. It may well be the case as underbonnet temperatures do rise alot in direct sunlight. I'd get yourself some new wire, replace the wire from the starter to the brown plug completly and then cut back the solenoid wire that goes back into the loom untill fresh wire is found then rejoin the two using a good connector. Veichle wiring products is the best place to go for some decent weatherproof conenctors. While your at it i'd renew any other suspect wires as otherwise you'll start having problems with your gauges and warning lights